Photo report: There was some worry ahead of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge that the course wouldn’t be all that selective. The first stage put any worries of that out in the cold. PEZ’s Darrell Parks was on the moto all day to witness the hard racing up close and personal from start to finish. Read on!

Photography by Darrell Parks – www.darrellparks.com -

Cadel Evans signs in.

The break forms.

The break free and clear on the huge climb of Monarch Pass.

Andy Schleck looks to get rid of a musette.

Not a bad backdrop, no?

After the early climbing, the race headed out into the open expanse.

HTC-Highroad, Garmin-Cervelo, and Exergy were all prominent on the front.

Tour winner, Evans, chases back on following a mechanical.

Trying to outrun an afternoon storm.

Here it comes!

Leipheimer might have missed out on his beloved Tour of California earlier this year, but the chances are looking good that he can take both the Tours of Utah and Colorado.